Stamps Scholars Program at Notre Dame

About the Scholarship

The Stamps Scholars Program at Notre Dame, running since 2013, is the university's flagship merit award, funded with the Stamps Foundation. It goes to a small number of students each year who stand out on leadership, service, scholarship, innovation and character.

The award is an annual scholarship covering tuition and fees plus the estimated cost of books, personal expenses and transportation, for up to four years, or five for the School of Architecture and approved dual degree programmes. Alongside it sits a $12,000 enrichment fund that scholars spend on things like study abroad, Outward Bound, unpaid internships and research, leadership training, conferences and travel.

International applicants are in scope. Notre Dame states that all international students and US citizens abroad will be considered for merit scholarships, and there is no separate Stamps application to file. Admission applicants in both the Restrictive Early Action and Regular Decision pools are reviewed for it, with next steps sent in early December and early March respectively.

Two things to plan for. Room and board fall outside the award, so students who need housing and food covered should also file the CSS Profile for need-based aid, which Notre Dame says meets the full demonstrated need of international undergraduates. And selection draws on the very top of an already selective applicant pool, so treat the Stamps as an upside to a strong Notre Dame application rather than a target you can apply for directly.

What It Covers

Tuition
Fees
Books & materials
Travel
Other

An annual scholarship covering tuition and fees plus the estimated cost of books, personal expenses and transportation, for up to four years (five for students in the School of Architecture or approved dual degree programmes). A separate $12,000 enrichment fund pays for things like Outward Bound, study abroad, unpaid internships and research, leadership training, conference fees and travel. Room and board sit outside the award, so housing and food are covered only through any separate need-based aid.

Eligibility

Open to first-year applicants to the University of Notre Dame. Scholars are chosen from among the highest achieving applicants in the Restrictive Early Action and Regular Decision pools on academic merit, strong leadership potential and exceptional character. Notre Dame states that all international students and US citizens abroad will be considered for merit scholarships, so F-1 applicants are in the pool. The scholarship runs up to four years of study, or five years for students in the School of Architecture or approved dual degree programmes.

Eligible Countries

All countries

How to Apply

Consideration is automatic. Every applicant to Notre Dame, whether Restrictive Early Action or Regular Decision, is considered for the Stamps Scholarship with no additional application. Candidates who reach the next stage are notified of required next steps in early December for the Restrictive Early Action cycle and early March for Regular Decision. Applicants who also want need-based aid towards room and board submit the CSS Profile.